Last week, President Obama announced a non-binding agreement with China to reduce carbon emissions, taking yet another action that puts America’s energy and economic future at risk. The so-called “deal” requires deep cuts in America’s carbon emissions by 2025, yet allows China to operate unfettered until 2030, at which time carbon emissions would supposedly level off.

Abundant, reliable, low-cost electricity is the driving force behind a healthy and growing economy. America has experienced this throughout its history, as affordable electricity, largely provided by coal-based generation, fueled widespread economic development. From Silicon Valley’s data centers in the West to the recent manufacturing resurgence in America’s Heartland, low-cost coal power has been a mainstay of support for growing jobs and the economy here at home. Coal currently provides 40 percent of our nation’s electricity and misguided attempts to limit its use only stands to harm millions of consumers and businesses.

On the other hand, China’s economy continues to grow, as the country increasingly looks to coal to provide the affordable power needed to fuel jobs and economic development. With coal powering its future, think of the country’s enormous growth potential between now and 2030 – and then consider the enormous setback America’s economy will face as a result of President Obama’s overzealous activism.

What happens if China violates the agreement with the United States? Well, nothing really. It’s a non-binding agreement after all. But long before 2030 (when we see whether China stayed committed), the United States economy will already have suffered as President Obama and his EPA move full steam ahead with costly regulations that will upend our commercial model for years to come.

Sadly, the president’s climate “deal” with China is yet another example of the administration putting its climate crusade ahead of the American families and businesses that depend on reliable, low-cost electricity. President Obama is leading Americans down a treacherous path, while allowing China to grow and develop for the next decade and beyond. Americans are truly on the losing end of this climate arrangement.

America’s Power has traveled the country visiting communities that rely on coal-based power. Today on Behind the Plug, we’re launching a state-focused series to highlight how important the coal industry is from coast to coast.

Indiana is a fitting place to start. In this Midwest state, coal fuels local economies, quality jobs and affordable energy for homes and businesses alike.

Hard-working Indiana coal miners have provided electricity to American consumers for decades. Today, direct and indirect employment tied to Indiana’s coal production industry accounts for nearly 29,000 jobs and 36.7 million short tons of coal. With 84 percent of Indiana’s electricity currently generated by coal, the state enjoys electricity rates that are 14 percent lower than the national average.

This low-cost electricity allows business sectors like manufacturing to grow and thrive. Indiana is among the nation’s top manufacturing centers, with a higher percentage of workers employed in the sector than any other state. In fact, manufacturing employs more than 490,000 Hoosiers and generates $84.2 billion in economic output.

Unfortunately, the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed carbon regulations for Indiana’s power plants stand to jeopardize the state’s hard-fought economic growth and progress. Recent analysis by NERA Economic Consulting reveals that EPA’s carbon regulations will result in sustained negative economic consequences for the entire state. By forcing Indiana to cut one-fifth of its carbon emissions under an unreasonable timeline, EPA’s proposal will fundamentally alter the way the state produces electricity, threatening job losses across industries and causing peak-year electricity rate increases of 15 percent.

The impacts stemming from EPA’s plan will spell disaster for Indiana’s workforce and local economy. Stand up for Indiana’s future and visit www.KeepAmericasPowerOn.org before December 1 to file a comment with EPA.

This Veterans Day, we were reminded of the incredible sacrifices the men and women in our armed forces have made to keep America safe. After serving their country, many service members seek to transition into the workforce and find fulfilling, quality employment.

The coal, electricity and transportation industries have a long history of hiring veterans. From mining in West Virginia, to hauling coal on America’s railways in the Powder River Basin, to constructing a cutting-edge power facility in Mississippi, these industries have committed to welcoming veterans into their companies and working to leverage the invaluable skills they bring to the table to power America’s energy and economy.

On the heels of Veterans Day, we’re highlighting two of our member companies who lead employers across every industry in military employment: CSX and Southern Company. While each of our members has a history of strong veterans hiring, we’re highlighting two that have recently received well-deserved accolades for their efforts.

CSX

Nearly one-in-five employees of CSX is a veteran, a statistic that is far more than a number for the company. In the words of CEO Michael Ward, CSX is “proud to create an environment that attracts, develops and retains the best and brightest talent – including those with the invaluable experience of serving our country.”

These hard-working men and women apply the leadership and technical skills they learned while in the armed forces to a career with one of the nation’s leading railroad companies. CSX was recently named to DiversityInc’s “Top 10 Companies for Veterans” list for the second consecutive year, as well as G.I. Jobs’ “Top 100 Military Friendly Employers” list.

Southern Company

Just this week, Southern Company was named the highest-ranked utility on the “Top 100 Military Friendly Employers” listing by G.I. Jobs. For eight years running, Southern Company has been named to this list because of its commitment to hiring veterans and supporting organizations like Troops to Energy Jobs.

Ten percent of Southern Company’s workforce is comprised of skilled veterans. What’s more, 20 percent of the new hires at the Kemper County Energy Facility, one of the world’s cleanest and most innovative coal-fueled power plants, have prior military experience. On veteran hiring, president and CEO of Southern Company Services Mark S. Lantrip recently said “these heroes are a natural fit for our company because they bring the characteristics of dedication, commitment to safety, teamwork and excellence in all they do, which align with the utility industry and our company culture.”

Both CSX and Southern Company are consistently recognized for their leadership in military recruitment and on-the-job training because of their sincere, proven commitment to recruiting and retaining veterans. We admire their leadership. But most importantly, we salute every man and woman who has served in America’s armed forces, and we thank them for their service.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel was recently quoted as saying climate change presents security issues” for the United States, and it is “critically important that we pay attention.” Such hyperbole isn’t surprising from the Obama Administration, whose misguided climate change agenda distracts from issues of real concern to the American people. After all, aren’t there far more pressing threats to the security of the United States?

The ISIS threat is only growing. Turmoil persists in Russia. Ebola has become a global health epidemic. Yet, the leader of the U.S. Department of Defense is wasting his breath crying foul about…climate change?

The evidence continues to mount against the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Power Plan, a set of costly and overreaching regulations designed to curtail the use of coal-based electricity here at home. New data confirms that EPA’s proposed rule on existing power plants will force higher energy costs on American consumers and businesses while providing no real global environmental benefit.

A recently released study by NERA Economic Consulting reveals that EPA’s proposal is the most costly environmental regulation ever imposed on the electric power sector. Under the plan, compliance costs could range from $366 billion to $479 billion, with annual costs averaging $41 billion or more, and consumers would be forced to spend $560 billion on ways to cut electricity use. NERA’s analysis also projects double-digit electricity rate increases in 43 states as a result of the plan, with 14 states potentially facing peak-year electricity rate increases exceeding 20 percent. Higher electricity costs will affect all aspects of our economic system, from manufacturing costs to the transportation of goods to the operating expenses of businesses. These increased prices on goods and services will be inflicted on American consumers, impacting households’ budgets and creating a ripple effect throughout the entire economy. Business owners will be forced to choose between paying higher energy bills and creating new jobs, finding themselves less and less competitive here at home and in the global marketplace.

EPA is making its best attempt to control how our country’s electricity is produced, and all of us will suffer as a result. Thanks to previous regulations from EPA – most notably the Mercury Air Toxic Standards rule – more than 350 coal-fueled power plants are set to retire or be converted by 2015. EPA’s Clean Power Plan will only exacerbate this already dangerous situation. According to NERA, coal retirements are projected to increase by at least 45,000 megawatts of power – a number greater than the entire power supply of New England. Since EPA’s proposed regulations essentially ban the construction of new coal-fired plants under section 111(b) of the Clean Air Act, the reduced supply of coal-fired electricity will severely impact the reliability of our electric grid. The strain on our electric grid was readily apparent during last year’s Polar Vortex, when coal-fired plants set for retirement were working at full capacity to meet demand other fuels could not provide.

Across the country, state legislators have expressed opposition to EPA’s approach to setting carbon standards for existing coal-fired power plants. To date, 31 legislative bodies, governors and attorneys general have stood up to the EPA’s overreach through legislation, resolutions or letters directly sent to the administration.

Despite the wide-reaching and detrimental impacts this proposal will have on our economy, job market and electric grid, EPA is determined to continue its regulatory crusade against the coal industry. Sadly, it’s American consumers who will be left footing the bill.

I’m pleased to announce that America’s Power and our longtime partner, NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., have joined forces on a new initiative to encourage voter participation in this November’s midterm elections.

Dale Jr. is not only a NASCAR driver – he’s a business owner who understands how policy decisions made in Washington, D.C. and state capitals across the country stand to impact consumers and our broader economy. As Dale Jr. tells us in his new video, “protecting low-cost energy from coal isn’t a partisan issue, and everyone stands to lose if regulations are imposed that increase energy costs for families and businesses.”

Do you know where your candidates stand on important energy issues? Our country’s future is at a critical juncture, and we must elect strong advocates for affordable, reliable electricity powered by coal to keep our energy costs low and our economy on the right track.

America’s energy future is in your hands. Make sure you get out and vote on or before November 4.

These costs are especially concerning when compared to other rules imposed by EPA. As proposed, EPA’s carbon regulations will far outpace the costs of compliance for all EPA rules for power plants in 2010 ($7 billion) and the annual cost of the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule ($10 billion), which is already responsible for the planned shutdown of a significant portion of the U.S. coal fleet. EPA’s proposal will rapidly increase coal retirements, shuttering 45,000 megawatts or more of coal-based electricity—more than the entire electricity supply of New England. With most of these retirements projected to occur within the next five years, EPA is sending us down a dangerous path towards weakened electric reliability and power outages during critical times.

Despite these significant costs and threats to reliability, EPA’s proposal would have a meaningless effect on global climate change: atmospheric CO2 concentrations would be reduced by less than one-half of a percent, equating to reductions in global average temperature of less than 2/100th of a degree, and sea level rise would be reduced by 1/100th of an inch—equal to the thickness of three sheets of paper.

Our fears of economic downturn, weakened electric reliability and rising electricity costs for American families and businesses will become an everyday reality if EPA imposes these dangerous and overreaching regulations. Join us and tell EPA that its “all pain, no gain” regulatory agenda must stop. Submit a comment at www.KeepAmericasPowerOn.org today.

America’s Power recently held our second state policy event in Charlotte, North Carolina, hosting local guests at the Mint Museum Uptown for a conversation on energy policy. Moderated by Tom Bevan from RealClearPolitics, the event featured keynote remarks by Governor Pat McCrory and U.S. Senate candidate Thom Tillis, who both noted the impact the 2014 elections will have on America’s energy future. Tillis, who currently serves as Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, also discussed the devastating impact the Environmental Protection Agency’s carbon regulations would have on electricity prices and jobs in North Carolina.

Following their remarks, our panel of experts covered a range of issues critical to the current energy debate. One message that continued to resonate throughout the discussion was the need for a sensible and balanced energy strategy. Instead of picking winners and losers through unfair and costly regulations, the administration should work with energy producers and utilities to advance standards that are both feasible and environmentally beneficial. While renewable energy sources such as wind and solar play a role in America’s energy future, we will continue to need coal to provide the constant supply of baseload power necessary to meet our growing energy demands.

Through our state policy events, we’ve brought together lawmakers, thought leaders and industry experts to explore the critical issues facing the future of energy. For full coverage of our past events in North Carolina and Arkansas, click here.

Mike Duncan is the president and CEO for the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, a national, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the use of coal...
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Laura Sheehan is a seasoned public affairs expert with more than a 20-year track record in policy communications, media relations, crisis and issues management, community and...
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Jade Davis is the Senior Director of State Affairs and Outreach at ACCCE. In his current role, Jade works with ACCCE’s regional and communications staff and government affairs staff ...
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Darian GhorbiDirector
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Darian Ghorbi is the Director of Policy Analysis at ACCCE. Prior to joining ACCCE, Darian spent five years working for the U.S. Department of Energy.
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Elizabeth JenningsCommunications Specialist

Elizabeth Jennings is ACCCE’s Communications Specialist acting as an integral part of our communications team. She works to expand the reach of our message through traditional and new media platforms....
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The American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity (ACCCE) is committed to the idea that America can have the affordable, reliable electricity we need, with the clean environment we want. ACCCE’s Behind the Plug blog is the place for up-to-date news and analysis on clean coal technology developments and energy policy progress.
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